On Nov. 28, WikiLeaks released a massive cache of secret diplomatic cables divulging private conversations between world leaders. TIME looks at other famous leaks that were often as damning as they were sensational

The Twilight Leak

By Nate RawlingsMonday, Nov. 29, 2010

Matt Sayles / AP

In 2005, rookie author Stephenie Meyer wrote a book about vampires in just a few months. Faster than she'd written it, Twilight leapt from bookshelves and the world met Bella, Edward and the rest of the Cullen clan. Told from Bella's point of view, Twilight is the story of a star-crossed couple who cannot consummate their romance because Bella's love, Edward, is a vampire. Meyer followed her breakthrough with three sequels in the next three years, all of which became gigantic bestsellers.

In 2008, she tried something different (sort of) by retelling the events of the first books, only from Edward's point of view. Sooner than you can say "glittering vampire," 12 unfinished chapters from the new manuscript, Midnight Sun, appeared on the Internet. "I think it is important for everybody to understand that what happened was a huge violation of my rights as an author, not to mention me as a human being," Meyer said in a message to fans. Rather than punish her loyal following, Meyer posted her entire unfinished Midnight Sun draft on her website. The only catch is that it's unprintable  better bring an e-reader.